We’re committed to building an equitable and inclusive organization that represents the people and communities we serve. We encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities, including women, people of color, veterans, LGBTQ people and people with disabilities, to apply for journalism jobs at The Beacon. 

About Beacon Media:

Founded in April 2019, The Beacon first started publishing in Kansas City in March 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. In June 2021, we launched a second newsroom in Wichita to become a regional nonprofit news network. The goal of The Beacon is to create a sustainable, non-profit news organization that engages the public, collaborates with other media and produces the highest level of accountability and solutions-driven journalism in Kansas and Missouri.  

The Beacon values: 

1. Shining a light: We believe that transparency about what is happening in our community and government ultimately leads to a better society for all. We also believe that if we demand transparency from others, we must model it ourselves as journalists — transparency in funding, journalistic practices, and our policies are integral to earning trust. 
2. Power in independence: Our unique impact as journalists lies in our ability to tell the complete story, without consideration of profit, ideology, or advocacy. We can tell the truest story, and make the greatest possible difference if we take no predetermined position on the topics we cover. We work hard to build a business model that safeguards our independence. 
3. Local first: We put down roots in the communities we cover and work with our readers as well as for them. We cover local people, institutions, and systems like they’re as important as the president (because they are). We aren’t interested in national stories unless there is a clear local or regional angle. 
4. Anti-racism: We acknowledge and condemn the ongoing legacy of racism in the U.S. and the institution we are a part of — the press. We commit to standing against racism as we build our organization and conduct our work. 
5. Impact: Writing stories is not enough. We are on a mission to get the full truth to the maximum number of people at the moments of greatest consequence. We do everything we can to bring stories, people, and stakes alive for readers so they can engage in informed action and debate

The Beacon Editor-in-Chief

Key Responsibilities

• Cultivate an open newsroom culture of collaboration, quality, innovation, data-driven decision-making, accountability, and intelligent use of resources; retain and attract talent, and ensure community engagement is reflected in everyday coverage
• Manage and mentor editors in each location to produce strong, community-oriented accountability journalism with impact; act as editor when needed to ensure editorial needs are fully met in all locations
• Collaborate with the ELT, particularly Audience leadership, to ensure the product is in line with the mission and values of the organization
• Identify and define key performance indicators (KPIs); in conjunction with the ELT and other stakeholders, define strategic priorities; set annual organizational and employee goals; inspire and support employees to achieve or exceed targets in support of the mission 
• Develop and implement an editorial strategy that drives traffic, engages readers, and supports revenue growth, including identifying new content verticals and formats, and partnering with other departments to optimize content distribution
• Collaborate with the ELT, particularly Audience leadership, to ensure the product is in line with the mission and values of the organization
• Identify and define key performance indicators (KPIs); in conjunction with the ELT and other stakeholders, define strategic priorities; set annual organizational and employee goals; inspire and support employees to achieve or exceed targets in support of the mission 
• Develop and implement an editorial strategy that drives traffic, engages readers, and supports revenue growth, including identifying new content verticals and formats, and partnering with other departments to optimize content distribution
• Create an annual newsroom department budget for approval, and ensure sound financial management within that budget with accurate regular reports, KPIs and financial summaries
• Work closely with audience and revenue leaders on strategies to grow the publication’s readership and editorial ambitions
• Identify and manage all editorial risks that could significantly impact The Beacon
• Ensure the newsroom has management systems and structures in place to operate effectively, with accountability and safety, and that all professional standards are met
• Seek out and develop new income streams and products to ensure sustainability 
• Work closely with journalism partners — including ProPublica, Report For America, the Solutions Journalism Network, and others — to ensure continued support for our editorial ambitions
• Serve as a visible advocate for The Beacon in the community, including speaking at public events

Apply here to see preferred qualifications, additional information and salary range.

The Beacon Reporter

Reporting to the Editor, reporters execute stories that break new ground in service to our community. Reporters find and analyze data in pursuit of great stories, closely follow evolving policies, and dig deep to hold government and institutions accountable. Reporters seek out everyday people and advocacy groups and explore their challenges and experiences with systems. Reporters are writers who can craft narratives that weave human experience with policy and data. As a Reporter, you will join a team of committed professionals with the goal of creating a sustainable, non-profit news organization that engages the public, collaborates with other media, and produces the highest level of accountability and solutions-driven journalism in Kansas and Missouri.

Key Responsibilities

• Investigate, report and write longform, shorter-turn stories and helpful guides about local and regional issues with the audience in mind
• As assigned, develop and serve a dedicated beat and investigate new leads and tips
• Find and analyze data to uncover unique insights and put them into context
• Contact, interview and research sources
• Maintain notes and audio recordings
• Build broad and diverse relationships so that sources, story ideas, research and writing reflect the many communities living in Kansas City and Wichita
• Take on visual and multimedia aspects of stories such as creating graphics and other visuals, planning, scheduling and selecting photographs, and writing social media copy
• Promote your reporting and increase The Beacon’s visibility in the community through activities such as public events, speaking engagements, radio and podcast appearances, and live video.
• Use sources, story ideas, research and writing that reflects Kansas City and/or Wichita’s diversity and the difference in lived experiences
• Abide by journalism’s ethics and codes
• Contribute data needed for key performance indicators (KPIs)
• Ensure actions fully embody core values of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and incorporate DEIB best practices
• Participate in a culture of collaboration, quality, innovation, data-driven decision-making and intelligent use of resources
• Contribute to other news products including, for example, social media, audio stories, printed projects and text message campaigns
• Other related duties, as assigned

Apply here to see preferred qualifications, additional information and salary range.

Development Director

Beacon Media Inc is seeking a Development Director based in Wichita, Kansas to help us unlock the next level of impact.

The Development Director will play a key role in The Beacon’s next level of growth and be responsible for identifying, cultivating, securing and stewarding philanthropic gifts from public and private foundations and major donors, while collaborating with colleagues across The Beacon team. The Development Director will grow the donor portfolio, and increase the quantity, volume and size of multi-year awards.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with VP of Revenue Operations and CEO and contractors on local, national, and government grant applications, donor cultivation, major gift solicitation, and planned giving 
• Conduct research for available grants and research requirements to find opportunities that align with the Beacon’s mission 
• Write detailed proposals aligned with The Beacon’s strategy and each opportunity to secure revenue 
• Procure and combine information required for grant reports from across The Beacon team
• Maintain accurate donor and grants management records in CRM (Salesforce and other tools) including tracking submissions, awards, and reporting deadlines
• Oversee donor prospect research and actively lead the identification of prospects to bring new supporters into the organization
• Develop cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans for each identified major donor
• Research for major funder conversations with VP of Revenue Operations and CEO’s as needed
• Launch and execute a Monthly newsletter for funders that comes from the desk of the CEO.
• Collaborate with the VP of Revenue Operations to implement cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship communications plans. Including the development of messages, materials, and explanations of our work used in strategic donor communications, Annual Reports, newsletters, and other communications that advance the Beacon’s mission and visibility.
• Manage tech stack and reporting related to online advertising and donor recognition

Apply here to see preferred qualifications, additional information and salary range.

Beacon Community Representatives

The Wichita Beacon wants to learn how people in Wichita get the news and information they need. We’re hiring Community Representatives to help us as members of our Community Engagement Bureau, a new initiative to design a creative way to deliver news to underserved communities. This is a paid opportunity.

Read the full job description here. Apply here.

Beacon freelance writers and photographers

Opportunity: We’re seeking freelance journalists to pitch us stories for publication in The Wichita Beacon. We’re interested in stories that impact audiences in South Central Kansas, and that fall under the general categories of government, economics, education, health care, environment and civic engagement. We are not seeking commentary or opinion pieces. We are particularly interested in stories that are revelatory, data-driven, contextual and solutions-driven. All content is subject to editing and fact-checking prior to publication. Freelancers are not considered W2 eligible employees and are not eligible for benefits. Contracts will include a conflicts of interest statement and signing the SPJ Code of Ethics.

Apply here.